Why Chicago businesses call
Illinois has about 259,000 small businesses with employees (SBA Office of Advocacy, 2026, using 2022 data), and a large share of them are in the Chicago area. Most of them will never hire a full time COO or head of training, and most consulting firms are not sized for them.
The calls tend to come at the same moments: the owner cannot take a week off, a second location is coming, turnover will not stop, or a key person just gave notice. Underneath, the cause is usually the same. The business outgrew informal communication and shadowing, and nothing was written down.
What a Chicago engagement includes
- A free business checkup and discovery session.
- An optional two week Operational Diagnostic ($5,000, 100% credited toward a 3 or 6 month engagement).
- 10 to 12 dedicated hours a week, founder led.
- A weekly 60 minute executive calibration and a dedicated Slack channel with 24 business hour triage.
- SOPs, onboarding, handoffs and KPIs built with your team.
- A named internal successor by Day 30 who co-pilots every build.
Pricing
Four tiers, each including everything in the one before, priced by headcount: The Prelude (3 months, $4,500 to $6,000 a month), The Blueprint (6 months, $5,000 to $6,650), The Ensemble (9 months, $5,300 to $6,650) and The Residency (12 months, $5,800 to $7,500). Three month minimum, then 30 days notice to end. See engagements and pricing.
How it works locally
We are based in Chicago and work with companies across the US. Engagements run on a steady weekly rhythm: 10 to 12 dedicated hours, one 60 minute executive calibration by video, and a dedicated Slack channel with 24 business hour triage. Shadowing can happen on video, through screen recordings and phone walk throughs of field work. If in person time in the Chicago area would help, raise it in your discovery session and it can be planned into the scope.
Chicago industries we work with
The Chicago area's mix of trades, healthcare, logistics, hospitality and professional services lines up closely with where Bevel & Sloane fits best: restoration, HVAC and other trades, dental groups, logistics, contact centers, restaurant groups and professional firms.
Questions owners ask
Do you work on site in Chicago?
We are based in Chicago. Engagements run remotely by default with weekly video calibration; in person time in the Chicago area can be discussed during your discovery session.
What size companies do you work with?
About 10 to 250 employees.
How do we start?
A free business checkup, then a discovery session. From there, the two week diagnostic or a 3 month Prelude.
Is there a fractional COO in Chicago for small businesses?
Bevel & Sloane covers the operations and training side of a fractional COO role, for 10 to 12 hours a week from $4,500 a month, and is built to hand off to your team.
Do you only work with Chicago companies?
No. We work with companies across the US. Chicago is home base.
The Prelude
3 months, from $4,500 a month
Most Chicago engagements start with a free business checkup, then the two week diagnostic or The Prelude.
Not sure yet? Start with the 2 week Operational Diagnostic, $5,000 and fully credited if you continue.
